Gummies vs. Pills: What’s the Better Supplement?

The health benefits of gummy vitamins might not be as sweet as you thought. Find out if pills are the better choice.

— On Sep 16, 2025

Gummies vs. Pills: What’s the Better Supplement?

In this article:

The popularity of gummy vitamins is soaring, leaving many individuals wondering if they should leave pill supplements behind for their new tasty counterparts. Studies lean toward traditional pills as the better option, but I thought I'd take a deeper dive into gummies vs. pills to help my clients make a more informed decision.

Due to their high sugar content, lower nutrient stability, and underwhelming superfood content, adult gummy vitamins don't win over pills in my book. Learn more about why I, as a registered dietitian, recommend tablets or capsules (or ideally greens powders!) instead.

In this article:

Gummy Supplement Overview
Pill Supplement Overview
Are Gummy Vitamins as Good as Regular Vitamins?
Why I Recommend Super Greens Powder

Gummies vs. Pills at a Glance

	Gummies	Pills
Added sugar	Many gummies have added sugar and/or sweeteners to enhance the taste.	Pills and capsules have no sugar or sweeteners.
Nutrient stability	Gummy vitamins are less stable than pills due to their shorter shelf lives. Dosing may also be less accurate.	Pills have more consistent dosing, and they are slower to degrade over time.
Superfood content	Because gummy vitamins have bulking agents, there is usually less real estate for superfoods.	With pills, there are fewer fillers, so superfood content (if included) is usually higher than gummy vitamins.
Convenience	Gummy vitamins are extremely convenient and may be a good choice for people who have difficulty swallowing pills.	Pills are also convenient. Depending on the size, they may be difficult for some people to swallow.

Gummy Supplement Overview

Gummy supplements have been popping up on shelves since the 1990s, offering people a convenient and enjoyable way to get their daily recommended amounts of vitamins and minerals.

In recent years, there has been a subcategory of these types of vitamin supplements on the market, greens-focused gummies, as consumers have voiced their desire to add more functional foods to their diets through fun, convenient means. Popular greens gummy brands that you may have heard of are Grüns Superfoods Greens Gummies, Goli Supergreens Gummies, NatureMade gummies, and 8Greens Super Greens Gummies.

Here’s a quick look at some typical ingredients you’ll find in greens gummy supplements:

Superfoods. Greens gummies contain a variety of superfoods, ranging from roots and herbs to antioxidant-rich vegetables and vitamin-heavy fruits. But as with any greens supplement, the selection and quantity varies widely from brand to brand. For instance, Grüns gummies showcase more than 32 fruits and vegetables (including kale, wheatgrass, beet, and raspberry) while Goli gummies contain 11 greens (including broccoli, barley grass, moringa, and artichoke leaf extract).

Vitamins and minerals. Although these types of gummies focus on greens and superfoods, they often double as multivitamin supplements, as seen by the list of vitamins and minerals on the Supplement Facts. However, in most cases, these nutrients are synthetic, which may affect their bioavailability.

Digestive support. Not all gummies feature gut-friendly ingredients, but some brands like Grüns include fiber to aid digestive health.

Other ingredients. The nice flavors and textures of gummies are thanks to gelling agents like pectin or gelatin; added sugars, natural or artificial sweeteners, or sugar alcohols; flavors like malic and citric acid; and vegetable oils or wax to prevent sticking.

Gummies Pros

Convenience: Easy to eat, portable, fun flavors, and requires no preparation.
Taste: Chewable vitamins are often flavored and sweetened to be more palatable, appealing to those who dislike (or can’t) swallow pills or don’t want to drink a superfood powder.
Portion control: Servings are pre-measured, making daily intake simple and straightforward.

Gummies Cons

Sugar content: Some gummies may contain added sugars or sweeteners. Low-sugar and sugar-free options may be available, but these often contain natural sweeteners that may leave an undesirable aftertaste or sugar alcohols, which may cause digestive issues.
Nutrient concentration: Gummies may be less potent than powders or pills because they require more fillers.
Nutrient stability: The gelatin and sugars in gummies are more susceptible to moisture, allowing them to degrade faster. That means the actual amount of vitamins and minerals may not be what’s listed on the label.
Dental health: The sticky composition of gummies can cause them to get stuck in teeth, where the sugars can feed bacteria in the mouth. Plus, taking gummy vitamins can lead to enamel and tooth decay from added citric acid.
Cost: Gummies can be more expensive than traditional supplements, like pills, due to their more complex manufacturing process and added ingredients.

Did You Know? While synthetic nutrients (those made in a lab) are chemically identical to the natural versions, research shows that vitamins and minerals derived from foods may be better for their increased bioavailability and complementary micronutrients. You can spot a synthetic vitamin or mineral by looking for "dl" in front of a word or words that end in "ide" or "ate."

Pill Supplement Overview

Pills are not new to the supplement scene. In fact, they’ve been the traditional vitamin method for over 100 years, providing a convenient way for people to get more vitamins and minerals in their diets. They typically come in the following forms:

Tablet, where powdered ingredients are pressed into a solid pill
Capsule, where powdered ingredients are enclosed in an outer shell

The target health areas of pills are vast, from multivitamins and prenatal vitamins to specific nutrients, like vitamin C, vitamin D, magnesium, or a B vitamin complex, and even superfood capsules. Greens supplements in traditional vitamin pill format contain the following components:

Superfoods. Most greens pills contain a variety of nutrient-rich vegetables and fruits, like carrot, acai berry, and spinach; blue-green algae and seaweeds; herbs and roots, like parsley, ginger, and cinnamon bark; and grasses, like barley grass, alfalfa, and oat grass. Some may also include adaptogenic mushrooms and fibrous ingredients, such as apple pectin and flax seed.

Vitamins and minerals. The format of pills lends itself to providing a plethora of vitamins and minerals, but the amount and quality varies across supplement brands. For instance, some contain B vitamins, iron, and biotin, while others include vitamins C, K, and more. They may or may not be synthetic.

Digestive support. Many superfoods pills feature probiotic and digestive enzyme blends as well as fiber to help support digestion and a healthy microbiome.

Other ingredients. Capsule pills typically consist of a gelatin- or plant-based outer shell. (Plant-based capsules tend to be more shelf-stable than gelatin capsules.) Apart from the outer shell, some supplement pills may contain rice flour/powder or silica as fillers.

Dietitian Tip: Always make sure that any supplement you're researching clearly lists the nutrients on the nutrition label to ensure that you’re getting enough—as well as avoiding a vitamin overdose.

Pill Pros

Convenience: Portable and requires no preparation.
Nutrient concentration: Typically contains more concentrated vitamins and minerals than gummies, making them more potent.
Nutrient stability: Offers a more stable source of nutrients per serving, making the amount of vitamins and minerals easy to track and measure. In terms of gummies vs. tablets or capsules, tablets and capsules have a longer shelf life.
Cost: Typically less expensive than gummies.
Portion control: Like gummies, servings are pre-measured, making it easy to know how many pills to take.

Pill Cons

Format: Some individuals may find swallowing large pills to be uncomfortable, and they’re not as fun or tasty as gummy vitamins.
Serving size: Pill serving sizes can be inconvenient for some people. For instance, superfood capsules from Amazing Grass and NutraChamps each list a serving size of 5 capsules.
Nutrient quality: Some pills add synthetic vitamins and minerals, which may not be as bioavailable as natural ones from whole foods.

Are Gummy Vitamins as Good as Regular Vitamins?

With vitamin gummies, the appeal is real. They're convenient, taste like candy, and do offer up some nutrients and superfoods that the body needs. But are gummy vitamins good for you? My short answer is not as good as pills or powder. I still recommend traditional pills over gummies because they typically deliver more health benefits.

Dietary supplements in tablet or capsule form have fewer fillers than gummy vitamins, meaning that there is more real estate for the good stuff—in other words, whole greens, fruits, herbs, roots, and other superfoods. The bulking agents needed to produce that nice taste and texture in gummies take up a lot of the serving size and can destabilize the vitamins and minerals, leading to lower potency.

I just can't recommend a supplement that contains added sugars. These can not only negatively affect dental health but also your gut microbiome. Because they're swallowed, pills don't need to taste good—so sugars and added artificial flavors are unnecessary.

Finally, pills are just as convenient and travel-friendly as gummies and generally less expensive per serving.

Is There a Better Alternative?

Even though, between gummy vitamins vs. pills, I recommend pills, I recognize that swallowing large tablets or capsules can be an issue for some individuals. Thankfully, there's a great alternative: supplement powders like super greens.

This is the best overall format because you can simply add a scoop of greens powder to water or your favorite beverage and reap the health benefits of all-natural vitamins and minerals from nutrient-rich superfoods. Read more of my insights into powders vs. multivitamins.

Of course, the best vitamin supplement for you depends on your unique health goals and needs. Speak with your healthcare provider to determine if pills, powders, or gummy vitamins work for your body.

When clients ask me about multivitamin gummies vs. pills vs. powders, I always point them to greens powders like Live it Up Super Greens. This superfood powder provides a suite of vitamins and minerals derived from natural whole foods—no synthetic nutrients here. But you're not just getting a multivitamin. Super Greens supports:

Digestion, with 5 billion CFUs of live probiotic strains, natural digestive enzymes, and 3g of fiber
Immunite system, with antioxidant-rich vegetables, blue-green algae, and grasses
Energy, through B vitamins, magnesium, and iron
Overall health, by filling nutritional gaps with a comprehensive formula containing a diverse selection of superfoods

Super Greens contains no added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or additives; is vegan and free of allergens; and is third-party tested and manufactured in a GMP-certified facility. And just as important, it tastes great!

Try Live it Up Super Greens risk-free today

FAQs About Gummies vs. Pills

Get more of your questions answered about whether gummies vs. pills are better.

Are gummy vitamins effective?

Gummy vitamins can be effective for individuals lacking the essential vitamins and minerals of a balanced diet. Greens gummies especially can be a great option for those looking to bridge nutritional gaps with more greens and superfoods. While gummy vitamins are better than no vitamins, keep in mind that gummies tend to include added sugars or sweeteners, artificial colors and flavors, gelling agents, and other less-desirable ingredients. For that reason, pills or powder supplement products, like Live it Up Super Greens, are recommended instead.

Which is better to take: pills or gummies?

Generally speaking, it’s better to take pills because they typically contain no (or at least fewer) additives, bulking agents, and sugars than gummies, and they’re shelf stable. That said, taking vitamin gummies may be better for people who have trouble swallowing pills. In this case, vitamins delivered in gummy format are better than no vitamins!

What’s the difference between green gummies vs. powders?

Green gummies can be a convenient alternative to greens powders and seem to offer many of the same benefits, but because they contain bulking agents and additives, they typically include fewer whole foods (and therefore fewer nutrients). Other differences between green gummies vs. powders include sugar content (gummies typically contain more added sugars) and stability (nutrients in gummies are usually less stable). This is why I always recommend greens powders, like Live it Up Super Greens, over gummies.

Are pills more potent than gummy vitamins?

Pills tend to be more potent than gummies because there are fewer fillers. Fillers like pectin, gelatin, and other ingredients create less real estate for vitamins and minerals and can lead to degradation, providing less-stable nutrients than those in pills. Pills also typically have more consistent dosing, helping to ensure the same amount of nutrients in every serving.

Are gummy vitamins absorbed better than pills?

Gummy vitamins may be absorbed better than pills because they start to be broken down in the mouth and as they continue through the digestive tract, which can potentially increase bioavailability. Pills only begin to be broken down in the stomach. However, gummies typically feature synthetic vitamins and minerals, which may not be as bioavailable as their natural counterparts.

References

About the author:

Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

Rachel is a registered dietitian based in Contra Costa County, California, with over 15 years experience. She specializes in whole-body wellness and plant-based nutrition, helping people understand the dynamic interplay between food and health so they can live life to the fullest. When not helping others, she enjoys spending time with her kids, being physically active, and tending to her abundant household plants.

Learn more

Get your greens today

Try Super Greens

Gummies vs. Pills: What’s the Better Supplement?

Gummies vs. Pills at a Glance